APC committed to action and reconciliation with Canadians

June 3, 2015

For Immediate Release

June 3, 2015

OTTAWA – On today’s closing ceremonies of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), the Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission welcomes the release of the TRC’s report titled Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future: Summary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada released June 2, 2015.

The report is the result of six years of extensive study into the history and effects of residential schools in Canada.  The church-run, government-funded institutions operated for over a century.  Thousands of young Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their homes and required to attend schools designed to rob them of their language, identity and culture and many of those children suffered unimaginable abuse.   The opening lines of the report bear witness to the nefarious strategic purpose of the schools:

For over a century, the central goals of Canada’s Aboriginal policy were to eliminate Aboriginal governments; ignore Aboriginal rights; terminate the Treaties; and, through a process of assimilation, cause Aboriginal peoples to cease to exist as distinct legal, social, cultural, religious, and racial entities in Canada. The establishment and operation of residential schools were a central element of this policy, which can best be described as “cultural genocide.”

Caitlin Tolley, Co-Chair (Female), Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission stated:

“The Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the Truth and Reconciliation Commissioners, staff and volunteers who have contributed invaluable expertise, empathy and dedication to investigate and bring to light the long, sad history of residential schools in Canada.  We are stronger today for their courage and strength in bringing the truth of the history of cultural genocide in Canada forward in a way that will foster reconciliation and help us to further the process of healing our communities.”

Kevin Seesequasis, Co-Chair (Male), Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission added:

“The release of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada is an historic moment for Canadians – it is a an opportunity for all of us to pledge to do better, understand and achieve more, and commit to addressing the painful legacy of residential schools. We must be guided by the harrowing stories of survivors and work collectively to ensure that all generations never forget these experiences. It is only by acknowledging the mistakes of the past that we can build a Canada with a meaningful place for Indigenous peoples.”

The report has put forward 94 Calls to Action and the Liberal Party of Canada has committed to the full implementation of all Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations.

The Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission stands with Canadians from across Canada in our commitment to actively promote reconciliation through the full implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations.

Links:

Click here to read the report: Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future: Summary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

Click here to read the Liberal Call for Full Implementation: Liberals call for full implementation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations

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